Archive for May, 2008

Rock Paper Shotgun has a link to an interesting article about Tilted Mill moving to self publish via direct sales on the internet. This is really positive news for small guys like me. With companies of this calibre and size moving into the Long Tail space there are bound to be improvements in the information distribution channels…. it should get easier to get news of the existence of your game out there. That’s still the biggest hurdle. Spreading the AE virus is still mostly a word of mouth thing right now. I’ve gotten several emails recently from satisfied customers who have been persuading friends to give AE a try. If you have a friend like that go out and infect them!

Announcing the next free mini expansion pack for Armageddon Empires: AE 1.08 The Tip of the Spear. OK, I just pulled the trigger on this… in my mind at least. I made up a list of the 12 images to send to my artist. I have the 12 new cards spec’d out. I also have a list of the other things that I am changing that I have been monkeying around with on a side build of AE. Here is the mini pitch.

“Alright you miserable maggots, so you’re sick of getting radioactive sand kicked in your face by those mecha and armor jocks. Well we’re going to do something about that. Some of you will be given advanced training at our Imperial Academy. Most of you will survive and you’ll be the better for it…more capable to serve the Empire and drive these abominations from the face of Terra. So which one of you is first?”

Features will include:

12 new Advanced Training Enhancement Cards only created by your generals and only useable by Infantry, Robot Infantry, Mutants and Xenogytes – prepare to be upgraded!

2 New Inate Abilities given to Infantry, Robot Infantry, Mutants and Xenogytes that will significantly raise their self esteem.

Possible New Feature: (Still Testing)
1 New Optional Rule that can be toggled on or off: All armor, mecha and bio mecha cards require 1 unit of energy to be expended if the army they are in is moved during the turn.

That’s what I’ve got so far. I’m hoping to release this on 17 JUL 08, the anniversary of AE’s release but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Speaking of that, I’ll be pulling the curtain back on Brimstone next week….. if the pavement is finally finished that is.

is paved with good intentions. I’ve wanted to go ahead and announce Brimstone but one thing has led to another and the website work has kept getting pushed down on the priority list. Hopefully I’ll have it up next week and I will start a new subforum as well. The game itself is coming along nicely. Tedious work to be sure but I am experiencing a sense of progress. It might be 50-60% complete. It’s hard to say. You can process a turn for basic actions like move pieces, bid on stuff, assign infernal artifacts and unholy relics to your legions. Right now I’m working on rituals…. these are actions that let you mess with your opponents both physically and psychologically. I’m off to enjoy a long holiday weekend, Memorial Day here in the US ….. soccer games and BBQ are in the plans. Here is an image from the game.

Bill Harris of Dubious Quality has launched his guest blogging slot at Newsweek’s Level Up gaming blog where N’Gai Croal holds court. Bill’s first two entries are an interview he did with me about how Armageddon Empires was almost an overrun landing zone. The interview is nice but in my opinion what really makes it interesting is the cogent analysis Bill provides on this new Long Tail indie scene.

Somehow I missed this but Tom Chick, the beret wearing actor-game critic, recently reviewed Armageddon Empires for Crispy Gamer. Praise from Mr. Chick is something to be very pleased about. Just the fact that he didn’t flunk me outright for less than acceptable hot-keys is simply amazing. I’m making sure the next game implements more and better hot-keys…. and that the UI is just better in general. I also owe Tom a personal bit of thanks. It was his enthusiasm for Dominions II several years ago that made me give it a look and it became one of my all time favorite games…… his occasional partner in crime Bruce Geryk (Tom vs. Bruce) also played a key part with his “Play Guide.” Ah, good times. I’m hoping Brimstone will capture some of that again.

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

The Tyger – William Blake (1757 – 1827)

In the spirit of three things I’m looking forward to I’d like to present three of my favorite shapes that really have fearful symmetry.

1.Panzer Kampfwagon VI – Tiger I

2. Great White Shark

5. Imperial Star Destroyer

It’s been a hectic week. I’ve got a big announcement coming soon about Brimstone. I’m going to pull away the curtain and put up a few web pages with some of the really outstanding art I’ve commissioned. I’m also thinking over some ideas for more Armageddon Empires mini expansion content. Finally, I’m submitting AE for the PAX 10 which is the Penny Arcade Indie Competition being held during the PA Expo.